Solvothermal Liquefaction of Industrial Soda Lignin into Functional Chemicals

Abstract

AbstractLignin is one of the most abundant and versatile biomass components, which can be used as a resource for bio‐based chemical production. This study investigates the liquefaction of soda lignin with water and ethanol in the temperature range of 220–280 °C during a reaction time of 15–45 min. The maximum bio‐oil yields of 59 and 57 wt % were observed in ethanol and water at 280 °C after 30 and 15 min of reaction time, respectively. It was observed that both solvents were suitable for depolymerizing lignin into methoxyphenols and acetosyringone. However, the area percent values of methoxyphenols (54.2) and acetosyringone (48.3) were higher in water than in ethanol. Ethanol was a more effective solvent with regard to a lower char yield, which was constant (37–41 wt %) in the temperature and reaction time ranges.